Save Article

On Chef Alex Atala's Trail in São Paulo

WITH A SCREECH OF BRAKES, Alex Atala pulls up to São Paulo's Fasano hotel in a bashed-up Jeep and hastily clears the passenger seat. Samba blares from the radio. "Jump in," he says with a smile.

The most celebrated chef in Brazil—his restaurant D.O.M. came sixth in this year's San Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurant awards —is taking me on a gastronomic tour of his hometown. And who could turn down killer caipirinhas or...